Andy has again asked me to take the lead on another issue of some currency. It appears that we have ignited among ourselves a dispute between the followers of International Defensive Pistol Association on one side and the International Practical Shooting Confederation on the other.
Back in the day, as they say now, Lt. Col. Jeff Cooper and others created IPSC from whole cloth meaning a new competitive program in the field of handgun shooting. Prior to this in the mid-70's the only other options were silhouette, conventional bullseye and police practical competition. All of this may be had from Wikipedia should you be interested or unable to find your back copies of SOF or American Handgunner. This was an outgrowth of the earlier "leather slap" matches of the South West Combat Pistol League which had earlier served Colonel Cooper as a test bed for his emerging theory for the Modern Technique. Rules were few in comparison to other disciplines.
However, by the early '80's, IPSC had begun to divide itself up into the Martial Artists and the Gamers. The martial artists were about "combat" while the gamers were about "competition" and both moved up in the heirarchy. Additionally, the equipment began to change rapidly as well with the entry of compensators, high speed 9mm rounds and rudimentary optical sights we now deride fairly or otherwise as "space guns". Lots of competitors lost interest but the speed and showmanship of the events began to draw attention. In essence, the Competitors came to dominate the Game.
The reaction to this was IDPA. In the 1990's Wilson and Hackathorn among others came up with the concept of a new competition with relatively strict limits to return to "real world" guns, accessories and scenarios. The vision for this is outlined in the IDPA rules and will not be detailed here but there are stark difference between IDPA and IPSC.
First, IDPA guns are supposed to be "street machines" and not "hot rods". Stock service pistols and revolvers were pretty much what was in the minds of these radical revolutionaries but some allowances were made for Custom Defensive and Enhanced Service categories as well. The very idea is the guns selected would be "carry" guns and not "match" guns. IPSC has responded with divisions for Limited and Production in an attempt to address the issue in other ways. We in IDPA do see the odd bleed over or refugee from these IPSC classes.
Next, the scenarios and courses of fire selected by the two sports are generally much different. IPSC is somewhat more athletic with its apparent emphasis on "running and gunning". They have lots of shooting with movement and long strings of fire. Speed is king. You not only have to be accurate but you have to be fast. This could be why the sport is dominated by a series of young strong guys. IDPA prides itself on short sharp engagements torn from todays headlines! The emphasis is supposed to be "realistic" scenarios in lieu of the "platoon in the assault" sort of thing all too common with IPSC. IDPA requires the use of cover to a much larger degree than IPSC. And, IPSC has shooting boxes that restrict the point of engagement not found in IDPA (supposedly).
Finally, there is the matter of the Uniform and both sports have them. IDPA requires the use of concealment and as a result the photographers vest is our new sports shirt with exceptions. IPSC appears to be more interested in sponsorship than concealment but nonetheless they have their own high speed, low drag uniform too! Right down to the running shoes.
I know I have skipped over a lot of detail but time does not allow me to hold forth forever despite my redundancy. So, where are we?
In 1978 when I was a young hot-to-trot Deputy Sheriff, my supervisor (a wise, wise man) told me that two sorts of folks joined the fire department - fire fighters and checker players. Both would move up in the hierarchy and that is exactly what has happened with IPSC and now IDPA. Some turn out to shoot because they have mistaken the games for training and others for trophies or the praise of men. It takes all kinds. But to return to my boss, you need to make up your mind whether you want to fight fires or play checkers.
If you come to IDPA or IPSC you need to follow the rules as written without regard to your interpretation. This means bringing legal equipment to the right match as a competitor. It means entering into the spirit of the game for the right game. And, if you a match director, actually following the correct rules for the particular event you have advertised!
None of this is going to make you a ninja or commando. IDPA is not perfect. It does not penalize misses or HNT as much as it should. But in the end it is only a game. Try to play by the correct rules. Here endeth todays rant...
